My first few footsteps upon the surface of Avalon were left in the beautiful Central Park of Thakria. Little did I know that I had been born into the fair City of Miracles. I joined the institute where I met my first tutor - Pandion His task was to teach me the ways about the land. After graduating from the institute it didn't take long before someone approached me and offered to guide me in the right direction. Many offers of guilds were given to me, but I knew from the very start that my destiny was to become a ruffian, a highwayman and a swindler. I heard rumours of the Thieves that infested the sewers and rooftops of Thakria. I searched for their leader, but to no success. Then a dark night I was approached by a hooded man with piercing eyes that seemed to light up the alley we were standing in. He would not give up his identity, but he showed me through many side streets and soon I found myself in the guild I had heard so much about. There I met Jaipur who welcomed me into the guild - I was now a Thief!
In the few weeks that followed I stumbled blindly through the streets of Thakria. Finding the centre of the city - Thakria Square - and its many stalls filled with riches, my hunger for material wealth became ever increasing. Being the gathering point of the city I encountered many people - most of whom offered to help, but were busy going about their own affairs. Here I met Jharrik, a respected member of my guild. He showed me the ropes and began to scholar me in the ways of our kind.
I was often told that Avalon was about making allies and enemies - and so I did. My first few friends I found in the likes of Ahmad and especially Ingens - then an apprentice Seer. I also met Loric who had shortly after me joined the Thieves under the encouragement of Sava - now a long lost friend. He was at unease with his choice and soon left the Thieves for the Mages of Mercinea. However he remained my friend, and he was to find that his departure was a mistake he would regret. Seeing his two Brothers in Arms - Ingens and myself - fighting side by side he soon realised the error of his ways and returned to his true home Thakria and the Thieves.
I had many a play fights with Ingens, and I can still remember a precious artefact we fought many a times over. It was in our eyes the most magnificent piece of art, and we felt extremely proud every time we had recovered it from the other. What ever became of that glowing spade I cannot say. For all that I know Ingens may have tucked it away in the darkest chambers of the Seers guild only to take it out at an opportune moment to gloat viciously when my back is turned.
Then came the time when I had to scour the land in search of a patron I would be happy to follow. At the time the patron of my guild was the Annihilus. At first I thought that this divinity did not exist because he was never, to me, present in the land. Only when I started consulting the senior members of my guild was it made clear to me that the watchful eye of the Annihilus was always upon the Thieves. Many times did I consult Zane and Ahmad concerning what was expected of me to become an acolyte of Doom. I made my petty offerings to Annihilus, but no response was forthcoming. Maybe it was my greed that limited the scope of my gifts, but it seemed that the sacrifices I was making to Annihilus was not enough to attract his attention. As a final solution I turned to Ahmad for advice and he took me to his personal quarters, well hidden, in Thakria for a thorough interview. But, alas, not even this produced any results, and I gave up my quest to join the god of Doom.
Embarking upon a period of my life where I decided to not take life very seriously, I approached the god of Mischief - Wraith. Wraith gladly accepted me into his order and I have had many a laughs with him and his followers. I will not forget my first pet and companion - a giant spider crafted from the essence of Wraith. Its name was Otto, but his life-time was short-lived due to the cruel hand of Allanon. Not even the life-giving powers of the Pool of Life could help my Otto. I swore to avenge his death, but with little success as Allanon remained too powerful for me to conquer. But just you wait.........The only comfort I found was in the delicious chocolate cakes Wraith would give me to alleviate my sorrow. The chocolate cakes proved an adequate, but only temporary relief. Soon I put on so much wait that I believe my resultant state had given Genesis the inspiration for the Sata fruit.
The injustices Avalon had presented me I could take no longer. I was so down that there was only one way to go from here - up. I spent many a hours in the Thieves guild gym - and against his better judgement I forced Ingens to curse me with anorexia everyday. With the utmost determination I worked long and hard to build myself to the Adonis I am today. One early spring morning I took my first steps out from the guildhall that year. All of Thakria gasped at my presence. Not even my own mother recognised me. I took a breathe of the fresh spring air and thought - What a great first day of the rest of my life!
I decided to test my newly acquired prowess and agility in the cities of Mercinea and Parrius. My nimble fingers pickpocketed many a purses - some too easy to call a challenge, others with knots not even I could untie. One of my fondest memories was when I loitering about in Cassiondora Square and saw the hooded figure of a mage known only as Sparky. And sparky was his temperament when he found me face down in his backpack. He chased me all the way back to Thakria on the back of his dragon, but luckily my swift feet carried me to safety. For this act I was made an enemy of Mercinea - which I am to this day. Him and I shared an animosity from then on.
Another favourite target of mine was Wulfgar who was my equal in skills, but not in cunning. Many a times did I knock him off his heavy horse and infested his bloodstream with my poisonous spit. Imagine my surprise when one day I ambushed him in the forest of Greenwood only to find that he could control the forest to force me back. He became one with the green background and I couldn't understand why. It was only when he told me that he had forsaken the life of combat and turned to the Animists guild that I ceased my attack on him. I apologised and he even offered me his healing and friendship of the forest, which I needed as one of my arrows went astray and ended up in the neck of a shepherd. Oops! Today Wulfgar is an Astrologer and I know he still bears a grudge. I often find him gazing upon me through his palantir, but it doesn't go unnoticed. I dash to safety amongst the sewers where I sit and wait for him to come out of hiding.
To this day I have remained loyal to my birthplace Thakria. I have persisted through its bad times and thrived on its success. Becoming ever accustomed to the lay of the land I even served as an aide to the ministry of Trade, but found myself better cut out to further the interest of the city through public relations. As for the guild I have never had any doubts about my loyalty. We have often been undermined and dominated by other guilds and not to forget Gods. The most recent turbulent period being the tug-of-war between Lazarus, the god of pain and Annihilus, the god of doom for guildpatronship. We have recovered from this sad time and been allowed to go about the rebuilding of the guild on our own terms under the guidance and watchful eye of Annihilus. Slowly I have taken more and more interest in guild politics. It was during a passionate discussion with Devious that the god of Doom descended upon us. Annihilus asked me about my motives in Avalon - and all I could say was that the Thieves were most important to me. Then he invited me to join his order and help in the resurrection of the guild. I lend my support to our Guild Master - Devious and know that we will rise from the ashes as a phoenix to become great again.
Written by Meriadoc
